The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-10
THE WAITE QUESTION

Is up again. The Spectators seem to
be intent upon its agitation and the
defeat OF the water bill. They insist
upon enslsving the people Of Mem
phis, to whom this bill is most mo-
mentous, and for three special res-
sons: ~ That a plentiful supply Of
pure, clear water is essential to their
health and lives; 90 that plenty Of
clear water is essential to a perfect
sewer system; (sl that it is necessary
30 perfect fire department. The city
must own the water works to insure
these blessings to the people. To flush
and keep the sewers in order the city
must have sole control OF the water
works !, to insure an adequate supply
Of water to put out fires the city must
control the water works. These rea-
sons are with sensible men all govern
ing and irrefutable; q plentiful supply
OF pure, clear water is as essential TO
the health and lives OF the people as
pure air. No corporation, however
DESTROYS, can do in this regard for
the people what they can do
for themselves. The people OF Mem
phis took this view Of the matter
when they began the agitation Of the
question OF their own water supply
two years ago, and urged the General
Council TO the steps IL has taken, and
which have resulted in the bill agreed
10 by the Council and the Citizsns'
Com mittse OF Ten. That bill IS the
full expression OF the desire and pur-
pose OF the people OF Memphis. 1t
Us the elimination Of two years Of
work by disinterested citizens, whose
Vsinstaking zeal has made 1t possible
TO see their way clear to solution OF
the vexed problem Of an abundant
supply Of pure, clear water. This bill
was debated during several weeks In
open sessions at the Council Chamber,
&c which every citizsn was invited,
and it was revised and amended from
time to time, aud thess revisions and
amendments were published so that
every man in Memphis could see his
way plainly to understanding and
comprehsnding them. Among those
who attended these meetings and par
ticipated in the debates and offered
amendments, Mr.. John 0verton was
conspicuous. No man is more knowl-
odgeable Of the conditions that make
this bill necessary than he, and he
has given his assent to 1t, es'
pecially to the tax clause, which, when
examined closely, will be found to bs
confined to the specific objects fol
which the bill provides. II the city
is TO own Its water plant, and it mus
for the sake OF the health, the lives
and the property Of Its people, 1t must
make q basis Of property on which tt
issue is water honda. That basis
while presently q slight addition Il
the city taxes, is mere nothing com
pared to the after benefits that are II
come to the city and its citizens. Tn,
arguments against this bill are cap
tious ami not reasonable, they are 10
the most part narrowed within tn
lines Of selishness and cupidity. The
are much in the same order as thoa
that were pertinaclously put forwar
in 1870 to prevent the building OF sew
ers which were absolutely necessary q
. safeguard sg,inst epidemic disease
and tbs destruction OF the city. A
enlightened, intelligent and larG
public sentiment that looks beyon
che narrow and combining present an
its petty, village prejudices, urg'
q measure that, like good FRI
schools, like well conducted banks an
liberal dealing merchants, is essenti
TO the welfare, the well-being and Il
life OF Memphis. No corporation wi
do for the people what they will do f
themselves, Besides, II 1t Is possib
Tor company to make profit by ser
ing water, even muddy water, and v
know ii ie, II is possible for the Poop
20 save that profit and supply ther
selves with plenty Of clean, pure W
Ter for all domestic purposes, and
simple supply for ere purposes. II
bill as prepared, amended and Corret
cd, with this as It's obi ect and purpot
ia the voice Of the accredit
representatives Of Memphis, al
therefore is the voice Of q
people. 1t is bill tn
eontemplates no wrong. 1t is a b
that contemplates no injustice. It
a bill that speaks for the whole pc
pie and In their interest, for the pI
section Of their health, their proper
and their lives. No purpose oou
possibly BIO more sacred than this.
purpose can reach so closely - &
vital interests Of every man, won
and child in the city, and no 9th
could be more, worthy the alnt
unanimous support they give it. I
water bill is the peoples bill. II
their protest against any company &C
trolling the water supply Of the Gil
il is their protest aRainst any combiI
tion by the city With q company Il
would IN AXE them the playthings Of /
bumor, capr ce, within or cupidity o
monopoly that would grow stronl
every year. The peopieof Memp
are for the water bill rs Il standI
few isolated catpers TO the contrI
notwithstanding.
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